Self-leveling holding device



1962 A. w. SCHULT 3,051,428

SELF-LEVELING HOLDING DEVICE Filed May 12, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

'35 35 A/ber/ l/VSc/zu/f A. W. SCHULT SELF-LEVELING HOLDING DEVICE Aug. 28, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 12, 1960 F/GY By A/ber/ l VSa/w/f 4 MM 3,051,428 Patented Aug. 28, 1962 flee 3,051,428 SELF-LEVELING HOLDRNG DEVICE Albert W. Schult, 128 Taylor Blvd, Laurelton, NJ. Filed May 12, 1960, Ser. No. 28,748 16 Claims. (Cl. 248-226) This invention relates to a stabilized holding device. In particular, it relates to a device for maintaining a container of liquid at all times level relative to the ground regardless of the angle at which the device may be attached to a support, or of the angle of the support itself, to which use, however, it is not restricted.

A practical application of the device is a paint can holder for attachment to a ladder. When it is secured to a ladder upright or side bar, it will prevent a can of paint or other solution from tipping and spilling even though the can is moved with the ladder from one location to another through a series of variant angles.

Brackets are known for rigidly supporting a can of paint in a desired position from ladder rungs or sidepieces thus avoiding the necessity of a painter or the like holding such spillable heavy containers by hand. These brackets, however, usually support a can by its handle, thereby preventing free access to its contents when so suspended. This is especially cumbersome when wide brushes are used as in large scale painting.

Further, it is necessary to remove the paint can from such conventional brackets before moving the ladder in order to prevent accidental dropping of the can or spilling of the paint.

It is an object of the invention to devise a stabilized ladder support which Will maintain an object placed therein in substantially perpetual level position under normal use.

Another object of the invention is to devise a ladder support which will afford free and unemcumbered access to the supported object at all times.

A further object is to devise such a stabilized support which can be economically manufactured from readily available materials.

A still further object is to devise a foolproof, stabilized support which can be readily adjusted for use on various types and sizes of ladders, and for either right-handed or left-handed workmen.

Yet another object is to develop a self-adjusting device which can be readily adapted to support variant sizes of objects.

The invention primarily contemplates a holder for a paint can or similar liquid container which is suspended by a series of graduated rings. The inner rings are independently pivoted from an outer annular frame from which the holder depends.

The device also includes a rigid outer frame with adjustable clamping means for attachment to ladder side bars of various sizes. The adjustable clamping means comprises a sliding arm operative Within a fixed rectangular frame terminating with an easily operated hook, by which the device may be readily attached and detached from a ladder or similar vertical support. The sliding arm adjusts to variant thicknesses of uprights and a transverse means is further provided which adjusts to variant widths of such uprights.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the following detail description and the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, wherein- FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the supporting device forming the invention as it would appear attached to an upright before a weighted can or the like is placed therein;

-FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the device attached to the angular left side bar of -a ladder and supporting a weighted can in liquid level position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device showing how the position of the inner ring or basket remains level with the floor when the ladder is tilted to the right as indicated by the arrow;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device showing how the inner ring retains its level position when the ladder is tilted in the direction of the arrow to the left;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of an auxiliary adapter with removable platform insertable therein for elevating a pint size can to a working level in the supporting device;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective View of the adapter showing the manner of placing the removable platform in operative position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the collapsible adapter in reversed position to that shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, sup- Referring now to the drawings the illustrated holding device is referred to generally as 10 and has three essen tial parts, a clamping portion, a holding portion and an adjustable portion bridging the other two. The embodiment illustrated consists of a length of tubing or similar rigid material annularly bent in the middle to form an annular frame or outer ring 11. The two juxtaposed strips thereafter form a centrally disposed rigid narrow bridge portion 12 between the outer ring and an oppositely bent forked portion 13, terminating in two prongs 14 and 15. An L-shaped latch 16 pivotally mounted as at 17 joins the free end of prong 14 with the free end of prong 15. A hook 18 on one end of the latch cooperates with a catch 19 disposed on the opposite prong to form an open rectangular frame adapted to receive a side bar 20 of a ladder 21 therein. The opposite end of the L-shaped latch from hook 18 forms a handle portion 22. The latch handle extends outwardly from the ladder when secured thereto for easy attachment of the device to and disengagement from a side bar or other vertical post (not shown).

A rider 23 mounted for sliding movement on bridge 12 carries a clamping member or arm 24. Member 24 disposed over forked portion 13 is adapted to bear against the side of any upright support, thereby providing an adjustable means to embrace the sides of such upright between it and lever 16.

Although other stop means could be used for the same purpose, a key 25 pegs the rider in any of a series of selected positions 26 which are spaced to coincide with standard ladder widths about which the device is to be secured, see FIG. 1. A brace 27 also carried by rider 23 depends from the bridge 12 for coordinated movement with the gripping member 24. Its free end terminates in a bearing surface 28 substantially the width of the average side bar, here shown bent back upon itself to form the base of a triangle. Surface 28 may be serrated or otherwise provided with a non-slip sleeve such as rubber.

Adjustable securing means such as clamping screw 29 is provided proximate the operating lever 16 to tighten the device firmly against the ends 30 of the side bar, as;

clearly shown in FIG. 1, thus adapting the device for use with side bars of various thicknesses as Well as variant widths.

The holding portion of the device is formed by an in termediate ring 31 pivoted at two points 32, 32 to the rigid outer annular frame 11 transversely to its axis. Freely pivoted ring 31 equalizes the pitch of the device when tilted vertically. An inner ring 33 pivoted at two co-axial points 34, 34 equalizes the roll from side to side when the device is tilted horizontally. The ends of two wire wickets 35 are fastened as at 36 to the inner ring 33 to form an open basket or paint can holder 37. Desirably, the wickets may be detached for shipping or storage in flat, parallel position.

As shown in the drawings the device may be ingeniously and economically made from essentiallyone material. Metal wire maybe bent or plastic tubing molded or extruded to the various desired shapes, to which only the lever 16, rider 23 and clamping screw 29 may thereafter be added.

It will be clearly seen from FIG. 2 that the handle 38 of a gallon size paint can 39 falls fiat when the can is placed in holder 37 which affords free access of brushes and the like to the contents of the can.

Although the device is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 as attached to the left side bar of a ladder for left-handed users or other expediency,.it will be seen from FIG. 1 that the device is equally usable on the right side bar for normal right-handed use.

Also, if desirable, holder 37 could be made of solid material such as an integral or detachable pail rather than the open Wicket structure shown.

Holder 37, proportioned to receive a large gallon-size can 39 for practical purposes, is provided with an auxiliary adapter 40 for reducing its inner retaining dimension to receive and rigidly support the top and bottom of a quart or pint size can.

\Adapter 40 may be fabricated from corrugated board or other substantially rigid material and comprises two reversible hinged plates or lower and upper annular parts 41, 42 which when erected and inserted into holder 37 from the normally collapsed position of FIG. 8 will firmly retain either a quart size can 43 as in FIG. 7 Or a pint size can 44 as shown in FIG. 5, depending upon which part is placed uppermost in the holder.

As will be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7 the overall diameter of both parts is identical, but each is provided with a centrally disposed annular aperture of different radial proportions. Lower or bottom part 41 is provided with an aperture 45 large enough to receive a quart can while the opposite or upper part 42 is provided with an aperture 46 small enough to closely fit about a pint size can.

An insert 47 provided with a raised platform 48 fits into the larger aperture 45 of part 41 to raise the top of a pint size can beyond part 42 and inner ring 33 of holder 37 for ready access thereto, see FIGS. and 6.

As illustrated, parts 41, 42 of the adapter are joined by two spacing brackets 49 which may be affixed to the parts as by adhesive or staples and bent to form hinge portions 50. It is obvious that the adapter 40 may be integral or collapsible or made in any shape or size to fit any rigid or pivoted container and be provided with any desired shape of apertures and insertable platforms without departing from its basic construction.

If desired, wire members or the like, not shown, may be pivotally secured to ring 33 for hooking over the open rim of smaller cans retained within the adapter.

The forms of the invention here described and illustrated are presented merely as examples of how the invention may be embodied and applied. Other forms, embodiments and applications of the invention, coming within the proper scope of the appended claims, will, of course, suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A self-leveling holding device for a ladder and the like comprising an article supporting portion, and an adjustable clamping portion, said clamping portion having a rectangular frame adapted to receive a side bar of the ladder therein, a pivotal latch forming the fourth side of said frame and a movable arm cooperating with said latch to clamp said side bar therebetween.

- 2 A device according to claim 1 wherein a rigid bridge connects said supporting portion and said clamping portion, a rider is mounted for sliding movement on said bridge and said .arm is carried by said rider.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein a brace depends from said bridge, said brace cooperating with said clamping portion to reinforce said device and hold it in rigid position when attached to a vertical support.

4. -A device according to claim 3 wherein said brace is carried by said rider for coordinated movement with said arm.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein anchoring means is carried by said rider.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein coordinating means disposed on said bridge cooperates with said anchoring means to secure said arm in any selected posi tion thereof.

7. A device according to claim 4 wherein a strip of Wire is bent to form said brace and said movable arm.

8. A device according to claim 3 wherein said brace is provided with a non-slippable surface to frictionally engage said vertical support.

9. For use with an attachment for ladders and the like having a clamping portion supporting a holder for paint cans and the like wherein said holder is provided with an auxiliary portion to rigidly retain smaller objects placed therein, said portion comprising two mutually spaced horizontal parts, each of said parts provided with a centrally disposed aperture, one of said parts having a larger aperture to receive larger objects and the opposite part having a smaller aperture to receive smaller objects, and a centrally disposed raised platform for insertion in said, larger aperture to raise the upper edge of a small object above said opposite part for ready access thereto, each of said parts surrounding the upper surface of such objects to prevent tipping thereof relative to said holder when placed in said portion.

10. For use with an attachment for ladders and the like having a clamping portion supporting a holder for paint cans and the like wherein said holder is provided with an auxiliary portion to rigidly retain smaller objects placed therein, said portion comprising two mutually spaced horizontal parts and two or more brackets, said brackets spacing said parts for reversible use of said portion in said holder, each of said parts provided with a centrally disposed aperture, one of said parts having a larger aperture to receive larger objects and the opposite part having a smaller aperture to receive smaller objects, each of said parts surrounding the upper surface of such objects to prevent tipping thereof relative to said holder when placed in said portion.

'11. A device according to claim 10 wherein said brackets are bingeably secured to said parts to collapse said auxiliary portion when not in use.

12. An attachment for ladders and the like comprising clamping means for adjustable attachment to ladder sidebars of varying size, a four point balanced supporting means including a complementary series of counter-pivoted rings, a rigid bridge connecting said clamping means with said supporting means, an annular frame for said supporting means, and a three sided right angled frame for said clamping means, said frames and said bridge being formed from a single strip of folded wire.

13. An attachment for ladders and the like comprising clamping means for adjustable attachment to ladder side bars of varying size, a four point supporting means and a self leveling holder freely pivoted from said supporting means, said holder provided with an auxiliary portion to rigidly retain smaller objects therein, said auxiliary portion including two mutually spaced annular parts, each of said parts provided with a centrally disposed annular aperture, a first of said parts having a larger aperture to receive large objects therein and a second of said parts having a smaller aperture to receive small objects therein, and a raised platform insertable in said larger aperture to raise the top of a small object above said second part for ready access thereto.

14. An attachment for ladders and the like comprising clamping means for adjustable attachment to ladder side bars of varying size, a four point supporting means and a self leveling holder freely pivoted from said supporting means, said holder provided with an auxiliary portion to rigidly retain smaller objects therein, said auxiliary portion including tWo mutually spaced annular parts, each of said parts provided with a centrally disposed annular aperture, a first of said parts having a larger aperture to receive large objects therein and a second of said parts having a smaller aperture to receive small objects therein, and two or more brackets, said brackets spacing said parts for reversible use of said portion in said holder. 1

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein said brackets are hingeably secured to said parts to collapse said auxiliary portion When not in use.

16. For use With a container, an auxiliary device to rigidly retain smaller objects in upright position therein, said device comprising a plurality of mutually spaced horizontal plates to fit Within said container, each of said plates being provided with an aligned aperture, one of said plates having a larger aperture to receive larger objects therein and another of said plates having a smaller 5 aperture to receive smaller objects therein, a plurality of brackets spacing said plates for reversible use in said container, and a raised platform insertable in said larger aperture to raise the top of a smaller object above said second mentioned plate for ready access thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 392,105 Chapman Oct. 30, 1888 649,545 McConley May 15, 1900 1,203,412 Rosenfeld Oct. 31, 1916 1,406,399 Lumby Feb. 14, 1922 1,957,353 Piersall May 1, 1934 2,056,527 Kumrner Oct. 6, 1936 2,412,756 Smith Dec. 17, 1946' 2,520,412 Jensen Aug. 29, 1950 2,735,641 Joecks Feb. 21, 1956 2,883,134 OHalloran Apr. 21, 1959 2,894,700 Johnson July 21, 1959 

